A Desire to Sit And Chat?
A friend of mine that was at the party said that she so wanted to sit down with Dick and chat. Her comment made me smile. She said she would catch a glimpse of him and think he was alive. That his mannerism made her feel comfortable and like having a conversation. The comment made me feel wonderful. I wondered what others would do when he is placed on the campus at Vermont College. I can only imagine.
I can’t wait to get back to sculpting Dick after the holidays.
Lucas, Don’t You Ever Stop Running In The Studio!
I will be very sad to see Lucas go home. I took these pictures yesterday so that I would have some of him. To see these pictures larger, click on the photograph to enlarge
Dick and The Christmas Party
This past weekend we had a Christmas party at my art studio. It is called the upside down Christmas party because we hang the tree upside down from the ceiling. The guests that come can decorate our tree from a found object, or anything that is on their person or in their car. It is fun to see what others come up with. I have posted some of the party pictures at my other blog. https://creativesculpture.com/blog . It is a creative event. Everyone enjoyed the tree and the sculptures.
The Jeanine and Lucas sculptures came home from the foundry for the show. Soon they will be with their parents. The holidays are always difficult for those who have lost a loved one. It is a time of continuous prayer for me. I feel compelled to lift up each one. Jeanine and Lucas will soon be home with their families.
It was fun to see people interact with Dick.
I thought I would share with you some of the adventures. There were a lot of people in attendance. We had several guests of honor. Lucas was running around with all of the adventures. Trying to charm everyone he met. He did a great job.
Jeanine has a smile that softened everyone. I was thrilled when Ellie’s parents commented on the peace that I captured with Jeanine. From anyone else I don’t think it would have mattered as much. But Ellie’s Parents have experienced the same loss.
Dick Hathaway sat near the upside down Christmas tree and lectured away. I envisioned him talking about the history of the event. We covered the bench next to him. It was fun to see people interact with him. I am not sure their conversation but they all seemed to be having a good time.
Upside Down Christmas Party-The Tree
An upside down Christmas party must have an upside down tree, but there is more to our upside down tree then just hanging it from the ceiling. We ask each of our guests to decorate our tree. They do this with something that is on their person, in their car or found objects. Anything goes. Below you will see just some of the things that are on our tree. On the top of the tree, which is the bottom is a shark that squeaks. Why? Because we can. The shark has been with the celebration for a long time. One of my sculptures look very intrigued with the idea of a shark ornament.
The tree seems to have a strange affect on the guests.
Upside Down Christmas Party-The Ornaments
Some of our tree ornaments. It is a crazy tree.
* Plate with found objects
* Actors guild card
* real ornament
* cut out of Illustrator Bob Pharr
* Cassette Case
* name tag
* circle thing
* vip valet park service ticket
* blue bat
* pills wrapped in celephane
* greeting card
* tissue bows
* Socket
* red plastic wine bottle wrap
* plastic ring “10” off drugs”
* playing card
* Pickle?
* Fork and Spoon twined with beads
* Skeleton
* Faom cup
* throat lozenger
* business card ( from manny santos, producer of my artist documetnary created by PBS)
* Jazzersize coupon
* folded CVS receipt
*towlet
* cut out wooden Jesus
* birthday candles stuck in candy holder
Upside Down Christmas Party-And A Birthday Cake
My daughter was so sweet. She baked me a birthday cake from scratch! Carrot cake, one of my favorite. My birthday was Wednesday, but she was not in town and as you may have read I spent the day on my knees cleaning the floor of the studio. I loved the cake. So did everyone else! Florencias boys, trailed in as soon as the cake was cut. They were perfect gentleman while at the party and when bored with the grownups found sitting in the living room watching tv, quite entertaining.
Upside Down Christmas Party-Artwork And Visiting
Besides my own artwork there was photography from my daughter as well as her graphics which she played on her computer. I also had my lecture from the TW Woods about my book “Bringing to Life The Spirit of the Deceased- A Sculptor’s Journey” that played in another area of the studio. My husband’s two books were on display and artwork from my apprentice Florencia. 
I had invited all of the award winning students from the Culture Shapers contest that I judged a few weeks back. Daphne Dodd came with her parents.
One sculpture actually got into the Christmas spirit. Maybe he was praying for his toys.
The God’s Word sculptures look good in their new display case. http://www.godsword.net
After viewing the artwork people gathered around on the studio porch and different sitting areas in the yard. The white lights, the teeke torches and the sound of the stream always feels magical. The weather was unseasonably warm, making it quite comfortable.
Many thanks to Jennifer my former apprentice and my daughter, Christina for playing photographer during the party
Upside Down Christmas Party- Food and Song
There was lots of great food, ham, turkey, Swedish meatballs bread, Christmas salad, cookies, relish plate, fruit plate, there were 4 different cheeses and crackers, artichoke spinach dip, someone brought a delicious avocado dip. Everything was so yummy. Everyone often gathered around the food table.
Someone brought some music books, others brought instruments and we all sang Christmas Carols. I love to sing and I have not had enough of that.
Entertaining Can Be Exhausting But Fun!
Today I picked up Lucas and Jeanine. I’ll post pictures next week. They both look wonderful! It is so wonderful to have them for the show.
My apprentice, Florencia, helped me flip the Christmas tree today. I think it made her smile. It was fun and was even more fun having someone to put it up with. I’m waiting to put some of the ornaments on it. I want to do that with my daughter. She and used to throw these parties. I know she was only little back then, but she was a terrific hostess even then. I’ll be sure to post lots of photographs of the upside down Christmas party. Until then here are some pictures of Florencia and I trying to figure the tree out. We have it down to a science. hook in ceiling, attach pulley, attach trees stand to tree (the kind that screws in). Yes, I know you don’t really need a tree “stand” because it is on the ceiling. The metal structure just makes securing the tree and hoisting it much easier. Once the tree is hoisted up I tie off the rope. I have never been a girl scout so I don’t know what knots I use. I would call them “bridgette” knots in that I just keep tying them.
The tree skirt on the ceiling hides the contraption at the top. Now that it is hung time to string the lights!
Back to The Foundry
It is very important to me to have Jeanine and Lucas at my Christmas party on Saturday and then off to their homes by Christmas. I stopped by the foundry today and it was so much fun to see Lucas running through the foundry. I loved on him immediately! I did notice that he didn’t have shoelaces. Often the foundry will fabricate the ties of the shoelaces. So I asked them to redo that and I came back later. When I arrived I almost fainted. Lucas was running with his shoes untied. “It can’t happen,” I said. The mother in me cringed and begged them to try again, making bunny ears and real loops. So it is back to the foundry in the morning. Can’t wait to see him again.
Jeanine is coming along, they are cutting her base and figuring out how to mount her bust on it. I need to go and get some real chain as this will be colored to match the metal and will sit around her neck.
So much to do.
In my off time, My apprentice and I spent a good deal of our time on the floor of the studio, scraping the clay off of it and washing it. It is a chore I hate and will only be done about once or twice a year. Alas, today is my birthday and I spent my morning on my knees. I’m still not done, I have a little bit more floor to clean. I think I may say a few prayers while down there this afternoon.